The Mad Elf I am reviewing though is slightly different
having been aged an additional year. It was originally purchased in a sixer
last year at this time. I drank or shared the others, but saved one. Describing
Mad Elf to a friend I once called it “Fruitcake in a bottle…but better.” That
does fruitcake more justice than it deserves but I think the point still
stands. This is a big complex beer with a lot of pieces to it. This bottle has
aged well over the last year, becoming rounder, smoother, and the alcohol has
better presence, now hovering in the background. Overall it has become better
mannered.

As has been the case lately I drank this out of my Hamm’s
chalice. It poured with little head and a very nice reddish bronze color. It
drank very smoothly with a pleasant aftertaste of honey, a bit of a spice, and
just a hint of fruit.

I like this better than the younger version currently in the
refrigerator. My gig on the “fresh” stuff is that the alcohol is interruptive.
It masks the other ingredients and takes away from the beer. The aged version
behaves better and frankly has improved itself. No matter what version of Mad Elf you find yourself with, be
advised that it has a bit of punch coming in at 11% ABV. This year I am saving
two bottles, one for next year and one for 2013. I recommend this beer and I always
pick up a few sixers every year for the holidays. (Mad Elf is a Book beer and
can be found on page 181)

I would marry this beer label if I could.

The other selection for the evening couldn’t be more
different. It is Our Special Ale 2011 by Anchor Brewing Company also known as “Anchor
Christmas Ale.” I bought a sixer of this at my local supermarket just the other
day while tracking down selections for reviewing.

This poured nice deep rich brown color, burnt sienna /
umber, with a big tan head. The head stayed around for awhile too and the beer
laces up the glass as you drink it. I drank this out of a pub glass. The spices
are immediately evident on pour and as you bring the glass up to drink. It is a
chewy beer and it has a distinct aftertaste that, for me, took awhile to get
used to. It is a woody taste that stays with you for a bit.

While dark and laden with spice this was a pleasant change
of pace after the Mad Elf and I would drink this during a holiday meal. It
comes in at a sessionable 5.5% ABV. It was interesting to find out that Anchor
Brewing adjusts the recipe every year on this beer so no two years are the
same. (I think that is pretty cool.) Since this is my first year trying it I
have no basis of comparison to previous models.

The final line for me on this beer is that I am glad I picked
up the sixer, but I won’t get another till next year. If you like dark holiday
beers with a big spice kit then you may wish to track this down. (This is also
a Book beer and can be found on page 912.)

"Propaganda" on the two selections

Mad Elf

The Mad Elf, a cheerful creation to warm your heart and enlighten your tongue. The combination of Cherries, Honey, and Chocolate Malts delivers gentle fruits and subtle spices. Fermented and aged with a unique yeast, this ruby red beer has significant warming strength that underlies the pleasant character of this intriguing yet delicious Ale. The Mad Elf, a jolly and delicious beer for the Holidays.

Anchor Christmas Ale

Each year since 1975, Anchor Brewing creates a distinctive Christmas Ale, available from early November to mid-January. A rich, dark spiced ale, our secret recipe is different every year—as is the tree on the label—but the intent remains the same: joy and celebration of the newness of life.